UF courts Kevorkian for speech

By JACK STRIPLING

Sun staff writer
July 17. 2007 1:01PM


Fresh off his release from prison, Jack Kevorkian may be headed to the University of Florida.

UF's student-run speaker's bureau, known as Accent, has offered Kevorkian $50,000 to come speak at UF, Accent officials confirmed Tuesday. Negotiations are ongoing, but Accent has asked Kevorkian to visit UF Oct. 11.

Kevorkian, an advocate of euthanasia, was released from prison June 1 after serving a eight-year sentence for first-degree murder. In 1999, Kevorkian was sentenced to 10-25 years for second-degree murder in the poisoning of a man with Lou Gehrig's disease.


http://www.gainesville.com/article/2...717011/-1/news

Schiavo's brother opposes Kevorkian visit



By JACK STRIPLING

Sun staff writer
July 18. 2007 12:07PM

News that Dr. Jack Kevorkian plans to visit the University of Florida is already making waves among critics of euthanasia.

Bobby Schindler, brother of the late Terri Schiavo, is leading a petition drive to persuade UF to rescind its offer to Kevorkian.

UF's student-run speakers bureau, Accent, has offered Kevorkian $50,000 to speak at the university, and Kevorkian has accepted, according to his attorney. No contract has been signed, however, according to UF officials.

Schindler heads a non-profit group called the Terri Schiavo Foundation, named for his sister who died of dehydration in 2005 after being removed from her feeding tube. The group aims to "help others avoid tragedies that reflect what Terri endured," according to its Web site.

"In the case of Dr. Kevorkian (as a speaker at UF), he's a convicted murderer," Schindler told The Sun Wednesday. "He's a man that is obsessed with death."


"I think the message he's sending to our young kids is dangerous," Schindler added.

Kevorkian, an advocate of physician-assisted suicide, served eight years in prison for second-degree murder in the poisoning of a man who had Lou Gehrig's disease. He was released June 1, and his appearance at UF likely will be his first paid public speaking engagement since his release, according to his attorney.

Beth Waltrip, director of student activities at UF, said Accent is interested in hosting Kevorkian because he will stimulate important discussion on campus.

"I can appreciate that Terri Schiavo's brother and others may not agree with his position, and that's appropriate," she said. "As a university we're trying to encourage that type of dialogue and exchange of information."

For more on this story, see Thursday's edition of The Sun.

Click here to view the petition.

http://www.gainesville.com/article/2...718021/-1/news